“We used to hold classes under the shade of nearby trees; it was a very difficult situation. Students often sat on the ground or on stones, without desks or a suitable space for learning. Even with such physical discomfort, the children showed a willingness to learn,” recalls Leonardo.

In 2016, the district government and the engaged Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) reached out to ForAfrika to ask for support for this committed community. The needs were immense, but the school feeding programme, which had been implemented in other neighbourhood schools, was the immediate priority for the school.

“This was the game changer. School meals were an indispensable ally for me to achieve my educational goals with my students. Having the food served in the famous ForAfrika red bowls made students stay in school and helped them push through despite all odds,” says Leonardo.

Through the school feeding programme, every child in the Katussola school community is reached. Each day, 480 students receive a serving of fortified MannaPack rice, providing essential proteins and vitamins that help children stay focused and energized in the classroom. At Lucite, 140 students, 66 boys and 74 girls, benefit from this daily meal, giving them not only nourishment, but also the support they need to keep dreaming, learning, and moving forward.

But we knew that the classroom conditions were unbearable. Teacher Leonardo says that when lessons took place under the trees, the teaching and learning process was constantly disrupted by various distractions. Noise, people and animals passing by, wind, falling leaves, dust, intense sun, and rain were enemies he could not always overcome.